Judiciary

India has a unitary three-tier judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, 21 High Courts, and a large number of trial courts.[98] The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases involving fundamental rights and over disputes between states and the Centre, and appellate jurisdiction over the High Courts.[99] It is judicially independent,[98] and has the power to declare the law and to strike down Union or State laws which contravene the Constitution.[100] The role as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution is one of the most important functions of the Supreme Court.[101]